Neurergus
| Neurergus | |
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| File:Neurergus Kaiseri.jpg | |
| Neurergus kaiseri | |
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| Genus: | Neurergus Cope, 1862
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Neurergus is a genus of salamanders, more specifically newts, in the Salamandridae family. They are found in the Middle East (predominately in Turkey and Iran), and are bred in captivity for their bright colors. In nature, they inhabit streams and small rivers, and the surrounding forests or shrublands. All of the Neurergus are considered threatened species, primarily due to destruction of habitat.[1]
Morphology
Generally, Neurergus species are dark-colored (brown to black) above, with a pattern of white to yellow to orange spots and lines. On their ventral sides, the lighter color of their spots becomes a solid color. Like most salamanders, they have five toes on their hind feet.
Species
Studies have demonstrated the genus Neurergus is monophyletic.[2] It contains these species:
- Yellow-spotted newt, N. crocatus (Cope, 1862)
- Kaiser's spotted newt, N. kaiseri (Schmidt, 1952)
- Kurdistan spotted newt, N. microspilotus (Nesterov, 1916)
- Strauch's spotted newt, N. strauchii (Steindachner, 1887)
Notes
- ^ 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 19 January 2009
- ^ Steinfartz, S.; Hwang, U. W.; Tautz, D.; Öz, M. and Veith, M. (2002) "Molecular Phylogeny of the Salamandrid Genus Neurergus: Evidence for an Intrageneric Switch of Reproductive Biology" Amphibia-Reptilia 23: pp. 419-431, doi:10.1163/15685380260462338
External links
- "Neurergus Cope, 1862" Salamanders of the Old World,
- "Neurergus (Cope, 1862)" Living Under World.Org, A Web Project about Amphibians
- "Neurergus kaiseri" photographs of Neurergus kaiseri
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